Viking Aids Flood Victims in Thailand

Denmark-based
safety equipment manufacturer Viking Life-Saving Equipment is
providing aid to residents in Thailand, which is in the middle of the worst flooding
in more than 50 years. It has killed over 300 persons, displaced another
100,000 and caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

"We are
of course deeply touched by the situation and we naturally feel an obligation
to provide assistance to a community that has given Viking so much," said
Henrik Uhd Christensen, CEO of Viking in a company press release.

"We
know water and what it takes to survive in water," Christensen continued. "Safety
is the backbone of our business. It's what we do and who we are, so if our
knowledge and our products can make a difference for the thousands of persons
affected by these terrible floods, we are only proud to help."

Viking has
joined forces with the Thai Red Cross Society and the Danish ambassador couple
in Bangkok, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hemniti Winther, to distribute over 400
lifejackets among towns and villages in the flood-affected areas. The lifejackets
were handed over on Oct. 28 by Viking's managing director in Thailand, Morten
Halfdan Petersen to Red Cross director, Dr. Amnat Barlee and assistant secretary
general for external relations Sawanit Kongsiri.

"Our
facility in Laem Chabang employs over 650 people," Petersen said.
"We have been here for almost 10 years. We have deep roots in the community and it is
devastating to see how much damage and despair these unprecedented water levels
are causing."

In addition
to the lifejackets, Viking employees and their families have made a fantastic
effort to collect clothing and toys as well as cash donations for food and
water supplies.

"It's
been extraordinary to see how the whole community has come together to help
people in distress. We are happy to be a
small part of a huge international relief effort, and we hope that the lives of
the affected will soon return to normal," Petersen said.